Waratahs can win in NZ says Folau

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Waratahs star Israel Folau believes his team has what it takes to beat the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

Folau starred in his team's 50-23 win over the Melbourne Rebels on Sunday with two tries.

The win kept the Waratahs' hopes of a play-off spot alive, but the Aussie side has two tough fixtures ahead of them in New Zealand against the Highlanders and the Chiefs.

Not one of Australia's five Super Rugby franchise have been able to record a win against New Zealand opposition this year. However, Folau believes that could soon change.

"The guys have that in their armoury," Folau told Fairfax Media. "We've got those skills to play that game. The challenge is because we're playing New Zealand teams to not go into your shell.

"It's been a bit of perception in the way that people have looked at the way New Zealand teams play. I definitely not only back our guys, but all the Super Rugby teams have got the skills.

"It obviously hasn't gone our way [this year] but it's not going to hold us back from the way we want to play. I know we've got the skills to do that."

Folau said there was no need to change their style of play when they face NZ franchises.

"I don't think we should change the way that we play because we're playing New Zealand teams," Folau said.

"You've got to be confident going over there and that's all we're thinking about. It's not rocket science; every team is going over there to get the win. That's not the motivation. Guys have got to get the result out of their heads and go out there and play rugby and that's what we did [on Sunday].

"The challenge for us is to work off the back of that. [Sunday] was a good platform for us to really go for it. We talked about it all year, about just expressing ourselves and not going into your shell. That's exactly what we've got to do. We've got to continue on the way we're going so far."